Robben set to return

Bayern likely to be at full strength

Created on 31-03-2010 at 00:00 AM

The Bavarian schools are on their Easter holidays, prompting some 1,000 fans, including a large number of kids, to descend on the Säbener Strasse training facility on Wednesday. The crowds saw their heroes complete the normal routines for the day after a match, with light exercise for the stars who played, and a more strenuous workout for the subs and squad players.

Stare and squint as hard as they might, the throng searched in vain for Arjen Robben. The Dutchman missed the 2-1 victory over Manchester United with a calf strain and continued his recovery with a session in the performance centre. However, Louis van Gaal is confident of welcoming the pacy winger back to the team for Saturday’s showdown away to Schalke. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem with Robben for Saturday,” the head coach said late on Tuesday evening at the Allianz Arena.

Pivotal clash with Schalke

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge declared himself “optimistic about Arjen’s chances of playing on Saturday.” Bastian Schweinsteiger also returns after sitting out the United game with suspension, and both Martin Demichelis (facial fractures) and Mario Gomez (ruptured calf muscle) played on Tuesday, so Van Gaal should be able to field a full-strength line-up.

“It’s an important game, more important than today,” said Ivica Olic, scorer of the injury-time winner against United, “the league title is at stake, and we want to win the league.” Olic picked up a knock in the Champions League clash but has declared himself fit to face Schalke: “I have until Saturday, so it won’t be a problem.” He too worked out in the performance centre on Wednesday.